Feral Pig Numbers Increase in South Australia's Far North

By Caroline Horn

ABC North and West SA

Topic: Agricultural Pest Control

Friday, July 3, 2026, at 6:35 am

Landholders in South Australia's far north are seeing more feral pigs.

In short:

The SA government is being urged to act as feral pig numbers increase.

Landowners and the Invasive Species Council want disaster relief funding.

What's next?

The primary industries minister is developing a statewide plan.

This story has a graphic image of a dead animal.

Station owners and the Invasive Species Council want funding and action.

Floodwater and rain created perfect breeding conditions for feral pigs.

Feral pigs carry diseases that affect humans, wildlife, and other animals.

A local landscape board is concerned about damage to a wetland.

A boar eats mussels at Innamincka, 820 km north of Adelaide.

Call for funding

James Johnston wants the SA government to address the growing pig numbers.

There are 2.3 million feral pigs in Queensland, a damaging pest animal.

South Australia has fewer pigs, but they are moving in from Queensland.

James Johnston says SA leads in feral animal eradication.

The Kangaroo Island feral pig eradication program cost $7.5 million.

The program was jointly funded by the federal and state governments.

Mr Johnston estimates controlling pigs could cost $3 million.

Large mobs in new areas

On Dulkaninna station, owner David Bell sees many feral pigs.

He counted mobs of up to 40 or 50 pigs in new areas.

David Bell says pigs will explode in numbers if not addressed.

David Bell says pigs are in areas that were previously pig-free.

The Dingo Fence is more of an invasive species fence.

Floods damage outback roads, isolating communities and slowing restocking.

Sharon Oldfield of Cowarie Station agrees pigs are booming and moving.

Sharon Oldfield supports the call for disaster funding.

The state government seems to be floundering in its response.

Sharon Oldfield says feral pigs are an increasing problem.

There is an opportunity to address the feral pig problem now.

Disease and risk to wildlife

Feral pigs pose a health and biosecurity risk, spreading diseases.

The risk of bird flu is a concern, damaging habitats for migratory birds.

What is a Ramsar site?

Nothing in SA has been invested in biosecurity threats.

Plan for statewide strategy

Primary Industries Minister Clare Scriven develops a feral pig strategy.

Clare Scriven says dealing with feral pigs is a big priority.

The situation on the mainland is different from Kangaroo Island.

The floods helped eradicate some feral pigs, but more work is needed.

The government will utilize learnings from Kangaroo Island.

More news from regional SA

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Friday, July 3, 2026, at 6:35 am

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